I know the answer to these questions is usually "see a doctor" but a) it's my *penis* and b) I prefer not to launch a $100 or so for the doctor visits without some knowledge of what is underway.

Well, my penis hurts, near the tip. The feeling is like what I think it might feel as if there was a needle or something poking inside it. It does not hurt all the time, only when it is squeezed. It also gets worse when I need to pee.

I know that sexually transmitted diseases are a common cause of penile pain, but it is only in the last two weeks and I've been in a mutually monogamous relationship for 4 years, I do not see how this could be a factor.

What else can cause this type of pain? There are no visible signs of what could be causing this. It hurts and I am a little sick of it.

I'm in my early 30s and have sex around once a week or so (so it's not through overuse). Don't drink, smoke, or do any drugs. Not on any new medications (I take Ritalin, same prescription for years).

IANAD, but that sounds like a urinary tract infection to me. Call your doctor - sometimes UTIs clear up on their own, but it's also possible for the infection to spread upward into your kidneys and cause serious trouble.posted by homuncula at 9:12 AM on July 16, 2009

If you have an infection, it's also possible to pass it to your girlfriend, who will not appreciate the gift. See a doctor, dude.posted by restless_nomad at 9:13 AM on July 16, 2009 [2 favorites]

Yeah, doctor, and also, like they say in all the sexual-health pamphlets, you're never 100% sure that you're really in a mutually monogamous relationship.posted by skwt at 9:15 AM on July 16, 2009 [2 favorites]

it's also possible for the infection to spread upward into your kidneys and cause serious trouble.

Indeed. I let it go once because I figured it'd clear up on it's own. It migrated to my kidneys and ended with fever, intense back pain and pissing blood. Good times.posted by electroboy at 9:35 AM on July 16, 2009 [2 favorites]

Self-care is not your best option here.posted by theora55 at 9:39 AM on July 16, 2009

See a doctor--Your genitals are nothing to fuck with. The doctor may have an effective solution that spares you days of pain and worry.posted by applemeat at 9:53 AM on July 16, 2009 [2 favorites]

Unless you know what caused it (overuse or injury), there are no reasons why your penis would hurt that you shouldn't see a doc for.

Could be a UTI. Could be you acquired an STI before entering your current relationship and you're finally getting a flare-up. Could be a kidney stone. All three suggest seeing a doctor.posted by JauntyFedora at 9:53 AM on July 16, 2009

My penis is worth more than $100. I'm assuming yours is too. Don't be afraid to go for what a doctor visit might tell you either.posted by Ironmouth at 9:54 AM on July 16, 2009 [2 favorites]

Have you switched soaps lately? Some of them can cause that very sort of irritation.

I agree that $100 and the deep embarassment of a medical doctor examining your penis is probably not worth the visit. Best bet is to just ignore it and hope it goes away. The pain, not your penis.

Actually maybe you are best off taking the folks' above me advice.posted by RajahKing at 9:59 AM on July 16, 2009

Nthing UTI, nthing see a doctor if you're not sure.posted by Nattie at 10:02 AM on July 16, 2009

I know the answer to these questions is usually "see a doctor" but a) it's my *penis* and b) I prefer not to launch a $100 or so for the doctor visits without some knowledge of what is underway.

A) You're not the only person using your penis, so as others have noted, go get it checked it to prevent complications for both you. Even if it's just you, it may deny her the use of said penis for a while. Don't be cruel.

B) You don't need to know what's underway, you just need to know that it hurts and that you should take your penis to the "shop" where they can "pop the hood" and check out all the parts. They're professionals, down there at the penis shop, it'll be ok.

I agree that $100 and the deep embarassment of a medical doctor examining your penis is probably not worth the visit.

Get over the embarrassment or learn to live with it. At some point every male will have doctor inserting a finger into his ass and that's GOOD, because it keeps you healthy.posted by Brandon Blatcher at 10:29 AM on July 16, 2009 [1 favorite]

If you value your long term relationship, please go to the doctor. No woman wants that kind of suprise gift. Or, it could be a symptom of something more serious going on. Nthing what everyone else says: learn to look after yourself. The people who love you will thank you for it.posted by x46 at 10:38 AM on July 16, 2009

Though the chances are slim for the average person, you can get a urinary tract infection from almost any kind of sex. A UTI is simply an infection of your urinary tract by a microorganism--usually treatable with antibiotics. You don't need to be slutty to get it.

The doc will look at your penis quickly, but he will take a blood test and have you pee in a bottle for him. As for the $100, as others have said you're not the only one using it. Have your girlfriend pay $50 towards the bill.posted by JohnnyGunn at 12:42 PM on July 16, 2009

but it is only in the last two weeks and I've been in a mutually monogamous relationship for 4 years, I do not see how this could be a factor.

I do! I see how this could be a factor!

Seriously, see a doc. You may not actually be in a mutually monogamous relationship or you may have a non-sexually transmitted urinary tract infection. Which would be unusually in an otherwise healthy male but not impossible.posted by Justinian at 1:05 PM on July 16, 2009

See a doctor--Your genitals are nothing to fuck with.

Uhh... actually, I thought that's exactly what genitals are for.

So, with that in mind, see a doctor so you can fuck with your (healthy) genitals again.posted by twirlypen at 1:06 PM on July 16, 2009 [2 favorites]

Your prostate can trigger weird sensations in the tip of your penis if it is infected.posted by muscat at 1:24 PM on July 16, 2009

I know that sexually transmitted diseases are a common cause of penile pain, but it is only in the last two weeks and I've been in a mutually monogamous relationship for 4 years, I do not see how this could be a factor.

Went to see a doctor about it, he wasn't sure what it was but gave me antiobiotic regimen, which helped a bit. Urine test came back normal.

Pain/discomfort lessened but didn't go away entirely, and now it's weird but it's like I can't feel my bladder anymore or something. Anyway, going for a followup this Friday, hopefully will get to the bottom of things.

Showing the doctor my penis turned out to be way less weird than I thought it would be.

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